Community, Organising and Activism

Testimonies about abortion and pro-life activism from around the world

I have been privileged to meet many pro-life activists from around the world and to ask them about the situation in their country. Here I share some of the stories of local volunteers and some of the lives saved as a result of their actions in different parts of the world. Most of the testimonies are either leaders or volunteers as part of the 40 Days for Life campaign.

Cape Town, South Africa

Colette Thomas is the 40 Days for Life local leader in Cape Town, South Africa. She says how many people have said that they have made a difference by being there, how people have changed their mind when they saw volunteers. Colette says that we are witnessing for Christ and changing people’s minds.

Abuja, Nigeria

Abortion is illegal in Nigeria, but Kelechi Anyaghara, the local pro-life 40 Days for Life leader, mentioned many blessings that have happened. She spoke up in her Church and met a woman who was thinking about abortion. A local pro life group in Nigeria helped this woman to choose life for her baby. Some people have sent them testimonies saying what they are doing is really brave and more than 10 babies have been saved from abortion (as of October 2014). Getting more people to know about pro-life awareness, one person can help share the message with hundreds of people.

Accra, Ghana

Edward shares that in Ghana, 40 Days for Life has been a spirit of transformation in their country – they have helped 46 babies to not be aborted (as of October 2014). People need to be sensitised and educated about abortion and many people have changed their minds on the issue through pro-life outreach.

Ebenezer shares that abortion is a very serious issue in the country – abortion is hidden away because of the stigma connected to the issue. They are trying to educate people that abortion is killing unborn children and the effects abortion has on women.

Melbourne, Australia

Trudi mentions how her faith has deepened as a result of being involved in 40 Days for Life. Trudi has witnessed turnarounds and be part of the life of woman who changed their mind. One couple chose life for their third child. The team helped the couple and are still in contact with them. The campaign has also brought a lot of people together, and has helped to galvanize the local community. They have run 10 campaigns (of October 2014) and are still willing to continue witnessing ‘At Calvary.’

Fons Jansenn has led 10 campaigns in Melbourne, Australia. More than 350,000 abortions (as of October 2014) have happened at their local abortion facilities. They have saved babies as a result of their campaign, their faith has grown and worked together with local Christians.

Adelaide, Australia

Alan Tyson is the campaign leader in Adelaide. He recognises the difficulty of getting Christians involved in a pro-life campaign in a secular country of Adelaide. South Australia is the first place in the country that abortion was legalized. Alan recognises the difficulty about campaigning on an issue that people don’t want to talk about, that is deeply entrenched in the hearts and minds of individuals in the city.

Alan recognises growing unity between Churches on the issue coming together, and a growth in spirituality of the participants. There have been several turnarounds at their location.

Mario Forte has led 4 campaigns in Adelaide, Australia. There are 5,000 abortions in the state, half of which are done at the abortuary in Adelaide which is the 40 Days for Life location. They are spurred on by each of the lives saved from abortion, which has a tremendous impact on the whole community. It has been a moving and touching experience being part of such a campaign for Mario. The campaign is made by the people who come out to pray. Prayers form the backbone of the campaign.

Marguerite works at Café Latino. She started a prayer vigil 5 years ago. She has saved babies through praying in the street. They started the Café and they have turned it into a neighbourhood hub. At least 2 or 3 times a week there are people who come in who are on their way to the abortion centre. Babies have been saved through the café, through conversations, basic information and people have changed their minds. One woman celebrated their baby’s first birthday at the café. Marguerite shares a story of being present at the 40 Days for life vigil when a couple changed their mind.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Doris Hipolito has helped to save 3,000 lives from abortion. In 2007, she left teaching to dedicate herself completely to the pro life movement and to the house of life. Today she considers herself a really happy person to be able to do God’s will.

Lilia says 40 Days for Life is a really important movement. Although born a Catholic, she got pregnant with her boyfriend when she fell away from the Church. Abortion was suggested, even by her mother in law. Although she was not a faithful person at the time, such an act was unthinkable. She found herself pregnant again after she got divorced, but never thought about abortion. She strongly supports 40 Days for Life because of the challenges and problems she went through while she was pregnant. It is a good strategy of the movement to have a vigil in public places.

Romania

Dan and Julia share the story about their campaign. The abortion centre has been closed for the duration of the vigil and hundreds of Romanians have come to pray publicly for an end to abortion on the streets of Cluj-Napoca.

Portugal

Paula Pimtimel talks about the 40 Days for Life campaign in Lisbon. Many woman have not had abortions as a result of their campaign, and over 1,000 participated in their first effort. The campaign has been a tremendous blessing on the local community.

The Vice President of the Pro-life federation in Portugal explains the local situation on abortion in his country.